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A Democratic Congress and a Democratic President just combined to pass a massive $1.9 trillion spending bill sold as a solution to the economic woes caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to a compliant media, they had an easy job of it: Instead of scrutinizing the bill’s spending choices, the broadcast networks built their coverage around its most popular provision as well as sympathetic anecdotes about those in need.
From the day President Biden unveiled his plan (January 22) through the final day of Senate debate (March 5), the ABC, CBS and NBC evening newscasts discussed the “American Rescue Plan” in a total of 68 stories, which combined for 69 minutes, 27 seconds of airtime. ABC’s